Maine Pyar Kiya - Why I will always go back

There was never any hope.

When this comes up on screen, you capitulate.
 

Or this.
 

There was no hope. Really.

I was all of 7 years when Maine Pyar Kiya released. I did not watch it until a long long time after that but when I did, I buckled under a phenomenon that was Prem and Suman's world (more so because of Prem I confess).

Anyone who knows me knows that I moon over Salman Khan. This veneration was questioned in a recent conversation. "You say it was because of Maine Pyar Kiya. Will the movie leave you overawed in the same manner today?" I vehemently defended my adoration but it went unacknowledged. Not a lot of people out there like Salman Khan. To each his own.

Since multiple skeptical glances were thrown my way, the skirmish just handed me a reason to watch the movie again. Did I say again? Yes, again. I watch it every year. I have watched it so many times now that it does not matter that I do not keep count. I watch it but it is not a ritual. It is a new experience each time. This time was no different.

How could it be different? The movie enthralls me despite the warped fashion of the 80s.

It captivates me each time Prem says "Aur nahin toh kya. Aur iss baar mat poochna, kyun" in response to her "Tumhe bura laga".

It gave us the quintessential Mohnish Behl whose line "Ek ladka aur ladki kabhi dost nahin ho sakte" became epic without him having to smirk a la Ranjith (I like the man, no offense).
 

It gave us playfulness of young love that would be immortalized with "Abhi mood nahin hai"

 

It communicated Prem's respect for Suman with the slightest of nuances.
 

It symbolized what a man in love could do for his woman.
 

It was the genesis of "mooning over Salman Khan". There was (is) no hope. Really.

A hike every month: November 2013: Cowles Mountain

The Mister and I hike a bit. We have managed to do a few around and beyond the area we live in. We like to think that we are good at it but after the first ten steps, we are just too unhealthy, gasping along the trail and praying for the finish line.

Have I mentioned before that I have a Mister? Well, the Mister has been as supportive a partner can be over the past one and something years of married life. And he likes to say that he was extremely active before I happened! I say he has turned sanguine!

Coming back to the purpose of this post; I have been meaning to document all the hikes we do but as can be witnessed, been terrible at it. This one is a beginning.

Cowles Mountain is a trail belonging to the Mission Trails Regional Park (http://www.mtrp.org/directions.asp?idno=2) with a 3 mile loop. At 1591ft elevation, it is an easy to moderate hike used by some for running as well.

• This is an extremely busy trail. Start early to beat the crowd
• Since it is so thronged, the trail can get a bit unclean. When you step on something liquid in nature, you know it may not be just water!
• Dogs are allowed on this trail. Be prepared to meet a lot of them as well enroute :)
• While the dogs are absolutely ok, unattended dog poop on the ground is not. Yes, that is available in plenty too!



Otay Mountain and beyond



 

Lake Murray and beyond

What makes the hike worth your while is the view. A 360 degree view of San Diego county can be nothing but breathtaking. Lake Murray, Downtown, Coronado bridge, Point Loma, Tijuana and beyond on one side and flanked by mountains on the other.

We finished the hike in an hour and a half. A little too much only because we spent some time idling away on the peak ogling at what this place I now call home has to offer.

The photos are a bit shifty. Pliss to excuse!

 

Of first Christmases

I have been trying to put into words my experiences over the past 8 months and failed miserably on each occasion. Is it good enough a subject? Is it going to make a difference? Is it worth the rewind value? Questions unanswered, I decided to go ahead and write despite.

While I sip on tea and doodle away, I see my neighbor's lights come up. Evenings since Thanksgiving have all been about seeing patios across the apartment buildings transform into ethereal abodes. I can stare at the lights incessantly (I hope none of the neighbors find my behavior dodgy though!! I hope none of them ever see me, period!) I blame my ditsy demeanor to the weather; cold probably makes one do bizarre things. Possibly the surge in happy faces over the last few days has contributed to this madness as well. A very old woman today wished me Happy Holidays and gave me the biggest smile ever. I could not help but grin back, bad wisdom toothache not withstanding. I have got holiday wishes from an airport bookstore lady to a man at the grocery store counter, all strangers and all of them wished me; a person who does not even celebrate Christmas! Maybe, just maybe, the lights do that to people, makes happiness within people visible to themselves so that they can in turn spread the cheer amongst everyone they walk past.

I have put up lights too, 3 strings, small bulbs, flower bulbs and globe lights (I have no concept of length of wire obviously). Mismatched but an effort nevertheless.

Here's wishing anyone who drops by a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A Premise

I have been in San Diego for just over a month now and love it already. I stepped out of the airport and belonged. Yes, just like that. There are very few cities in the world that has made me its own in an instant. I do not know if this is where I will spread roots but for now; San Diego is where all my mails will be directed to.


Being able to explore depends massively on being mobile in this country. I do not drive, a shortcoming I am determined to overcome in the coming month. It has been ages since I got on a bike so that form of transport is ruled out [not for long again :0)]. Public transport is not a common sight in all cities so unless I was in New York, buses are as rare as finding ostriches on streets. But none of this matters in San Diego. I can walk around to my heart's content and smell the roses at leisure. Buses can take you around; hordes of college students notwithstanding. People are friendly, I have never received a frown from anyone so far and cafes welcoming.


Third season, episode something of Ugly Betty still waffling out but if not anything else, I have realized that while watching is when thoughts flow.

A First Post

Why is starting something such an uphill task? I sit in front of my MacBook Air, third season episode something of Ugly Betty wafting away on the television for forever and I cannot conjure up a line! 

Putting up Lord Ganesha's picture as a good omen passed my mind (taking his blessings before starting anything new is supposed to help you be super successful at the task) but I then decided; writing about the first post itself was not such a bad idea.

While I go away and think of what I really want to do with this blog and why I really started it; hope this keeps you sufficiently interested to bring you back in some time.